Downtown Silver Cam

March 12, 2018: Local News

March 12, 2018: Local News

Here’s a look at some local news:

The Gila Regional Medical Board of Trustees held a special meeting last week to address some specific issues and present a position statement. The statement began with a brief history including that (GRMC) is a county-owned regional hospital with a service area that includes Grant, Hidalgo, Luna, and Catron counties. The hospital continues to be a county-owned hospital, and explained that the Grant County Board of Commissioners hired a national firm, Juniper Advisory, to provide an in-depth analysis of ownership and management options for the hospital. They added that “no decision has been made regarding whether GRMC should remain locally-owned or whether an alternative relationship (partnership, merger or selling) would be better for the future of the hospital.” In addition, the Board of Trustees hired Taffy Arias last May as a permanent CEO, retained its Medicare Four Star rating and one of the top 100 Rural Hospitals in the United States. Ms. Arias has been working to increase partnerships with other health and safety organizations in Grant County, including Tu Casa, Hidalgo Medical Services, Grant County Emergency Response Services, and has started the process to earn certification as a Level 4 Trauma Center. In closing, the full Board strongly recommended that Gila Regional Medical Center continue to remain an independent county-owned regional hospital in serving the healthcare needs of our communities. The statement was signed and unanimously approved by Chairman Jeremiah Garcia, Vice Chair Victor Nwachuku M.D., Secretary/Treasurer Mike Morones, and Trustees Tony Trujillo, Jeannie A. Miller, Tsering Sherpa, M.D., and Joel Schram.

The Silver City Fire Department conducted new applicant testing consisting of a timed agility test and written exam. Eight applicants participated in an acrophobia test atop of a 75- foot firetruck ladder, and a six-station obstacle course which included difficult physical challenges. Fire Chief, Milo Lambert reported that all the applicants passed the physical tests and all would advance to taking the written exam. The department will be hiring 2 firefighters and should me making offers this week.

Tonight, in Deming, re-elected Mayor, Benny Jasso will be sworn in for his second term and the council will also elect a Mayor Pro-Tem, who acts on behalf of Mayor Jasso when he is absent. The agenda includes discussion regarding the increase of the councilor’s monthly salary, which since 2012 has been $577.50 per month. The Mayor Pro-Tem receives $660.00 per month. Other items to be addressed are: approval of an application to the New Mexico Department of Transportation for funding several drainage improvements on Florida Street; a requested zoning change and subdivision of land located at the northwest corner of 8th Street and Arrington Road; and opportunities for public comment. Regular public meetings of the Deming City Council occur on the second Monday of each month at 6:00 P.M. in council chambers at the John Strand Administration building, 309 S. Gold Street.

Today is National Girl Scout Day as part of Girl Scout Week. Girl Scouting in the United States of America began on this day, March 12, 1912, when Juliette Gordon Low organized the first Girl Scout troop meeting. At this first troop meeting in Savannah, Georgia, there were 18 girls present. For these girls, Juliette Gordon Low organized enrichment programs, service projects, and outdoor activities and adventures. Since the time of the first meeting, Girl Scouts has grown to over 3.7 million members. In honor of National Girl Scout Day, let’s celebrate all that the Girl Scouts have done to empower girls and what the organization has done for communities across the country!